The minutes of the September meeting were reviewed and approved. Don advised that we will now have a sign-in book for citizens present in our meetings.

Old Business:

We discussed the Urban Forestry Conference we attended in September. Of particular interest is the declining health of our maple trees. Don H. shared information on “maple decline” he found. Terry feels the most prevalent issues with our maples are space and soil compaction.

Concerning the tree root/sidewalk issues on North Prospect in front of the Del Mar Restaurant: the trees will be removed, the sidewalk will be replaced in the spring, and the owner of the building will plant an ornamental species in the tree pits.

New Business:

The bids received for the fall tree planting were opened at the meeting, with Klauder’s bid coming in the lowest at $5,860. Albyn’s bid was $6,854 and Fackler’s was $7,568. Regis moved that we accept the Klauder bid and all agreed.

Budget considerations: The money saved this year on trees will go towards the new plantings for the end caps on the West Broadway beds. Terry encouraged Linda to make out the purchase order by the end of November. The shrubs can be planted this fall, the daffodils will stay, and the mums will be removed. Linda advised that the sprinkler system needs to be checked for leaks in the west end of the eastern-most bed where she has noticed standing water. She would like the contracted mowers to use weed-and-feed on the grass in the islands. Terry said he may be using workers from LICCO next year.

We discussed the Tree City USA 2011 to be held here. Lisa Bowers will be contacted about the budget and Bruce Cramer will be asked to confirm the date at the Bryn Du mansion clubhouse.

Scheduled tree removals will begin soon. The orange dots are on the trees. Terry wrote an article for The Sentinel explaining the difference between that scheduled work done by the village street department and the AEP trimming being done now.

Don H. was advised that we need to do an inventory of Opera House Park soon as St. Luke’s Episcopal Church will be doing major structural exterior work and may need the park to store materials and park a crane. We agreed to meet there Monday, Oct. 19th at 2:00 p.m. to list trees, plantings, benches, plaques, etc. Frits Rizor will be asked to assist with the identification/documentation, and we will take pictures.

Tom McCray reported that the AEP crews are working in the Dry Creek Rd. area and will be in town in November. He advised us to look into grants that may be available through the Boy Scouts in commemoration of their 100-year celebration

Darren reported that the resident on Newark-Granville Rd. across from Bryn Du has requested two trees to replace one that was taken out. That will be done next year.